French champion’s bike is one of many rare items on offer to benefit and build the U.S. Cycling Monument in Boulder, Colorado

How would you like to own a piece of cycling history: the bike that legendary Tour de France champion Bernard Hinault rode to victory in 1985? Or how about having your personal voicemail phone message recorded by famed TV commentator Phil Liggett or world-renowned anthropologist Dame Jane Goodall? You can even acquire an authentic Olympic torch from the 2004 Summer Games or an original Motorola pro team jersey signed by 15 team members, including Phil Anderson, Lance Armstrong, Steve Bauer and Andy Hampsten.

All of these rare items (and many more) are available in a worldwide fundraising campaign for one of the country’s most important sporting projects, the U.S. Cycling Monument, celebrating world-class cycling and America’s greatest racers. It will be erected in Boulder, Colorado, where, four decades ago, entrepreneur Mo Siegel founded the Red Zinger Classic. That event morphed into the Coors International Bicycle Classic, which race promoter Michael Aisner expanded into one of the world’s major stage races.

This is the final round of funding for the Monument, following significant contributions from Alcoa and MillerCoors, along with contributions from dozens of businesses and hundreds of supporters, who will have their names engraved on the pavers and cobblestones that will line the Monument plaza. “Years of prep and approvals with the City, Parks and Recreation, and Arts Commissions, are done,” said project director Zach Johnson. “We can assuredly sew this project up by August.”

A project of the PLAY Boulder Foundation, a division of Boulder Parks & Recreation, and designed by Colorado artist Kimmerjae Johnson, the Monument will be the focal point of North Boulder Park, the historic heart of modern U.S. road cycling. It helped put American cycling (and Boulder) on the world map, attracting countless athletes and bike industry businesses, and helped fulfill Siegel’s dream of a city dedicated to sports and physical activity through cycling.

With a profile changing dynamically as future visitors move through and around the Monument, its elegant 50-foot-long, spiraling beam of aluminum will convey the excitement of a bike race’s breakaways, chases and sprints. Like a silver ribbon, the beam will sail above the cobblestone plaza, between a stone archway (the winner’s circle) and a massive stone pillar (the talking stone). It is on this element that inscriptions will describe the history of the Red Zinger and Coors Classics, commemorating all the winners (men and women). Tall plants lining the plaza will blow in the wind, like fans waving on the racers.

1985 Bernard Hinault’s bike:
The five-time Tour de France champion’s own bike as used at the 1985 race – the last time a Frenchman won the Tour. Features engraved seat post, stem and chainrings. This major piece of cycling history is in pristine condition.

Authentic 2004 Olympic Torch:
Identical to the one carried by Nelson Mandela on its journey to Athens, along with a package of significant Athens ’04 memorabilia.

Celebrity Voicemails:
For your personal phone. Out-going messages to be recorded by world-renowned anthropologist and United Nations Messenger of Peace Dame Jane Goodall; by the voice of cycling, Phil Liggett; by basketball’s all-time great Bill Walton; and TV cycling commentator and author Bob Roll.

Taylor Phinney’s Sunglasses and Signed BMC Racing Team Jersey:
Autographed BMC Racing Team jersey and a pair of 2014 Oakley sunglasses as worn by U.S. Olympian and multi-time national time trial champion Taylor Phinney.

Inscribed Sandstone Blocks and Cobblestones:
These are available in various sizes and styles and will be built into different elements of the U.S. Cycling Monument in Boulder, Colorado.

RecoFit Full-Leg Compression Sleeves:
Perfect for muscle recovery and long-distance air travel. In various custom sizes.

U.S. Cycling Monument Cycling Jerseys:
Unisex style available in six sizes.

U.S. Cycling Monument T-Shirts:
Available in various sizes.

U.S. Cycling Monument Souvenirs:
Unique metal ornaments and stickers.

Crowds swamped North Boulder Park for the Coors International Bicycle Classic.
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The U.S. Cycling Monument is to be erected in North Boulder Park, the epicenter of American road racing, where thousands of spectators gathered each year to watch the country’s first major international stage race, the Coors Bicycle Classic, in the 1970s and ’80s.
(Photos courtesy: Coors International Bicycle Classic.)